Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that its operations aim to “enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.” The agency later said ICE made 956 arrests yesterday — the largest single-day number to date by the Trump administration. “Since Trump was inaugurated Monday, ICE has made at least 2,681 arrests. It was unclear how many of those arrested had criminal histories or convictions.”
There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. With a few thousand arrests a week, it sure will take a long time to remove all of the undocumented population.
In a related story, CNN reports that at least 15 indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have reported being stopped at their homes and workplaces, questioned or detained by federal law enforcement and asked to produce proof of citizenship during immigration raids, according to Navajo Nation officials. The reports have caused panic amongst tribal communities.
KJ